Henrik Dalsgaard will miss Brentford's trip to Cardiff on Saturday with the heel injury he suffered in the 2-0 win at Birmingham.

The Dane was forced to sit out his country's brilliant 5-1 aggregate win over the Republic of Ireland which saw Denmark qualify for the World Cup.

And it remains unclear when he will return to full fitness, especially with the Bees in action on Tuesday against Burton.

“Henrik is likely to miss out with the heel injury he has but everyone else is fully fit,” Smith said.

“It's a similar injury to Lasse Vibe but not as severe. In terms of timescales we haven't been really able to put one on him.”

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

Dalsgaard is the second full back to be absent with Rico Henry set to miss the rest of the season and Smith has had to juggle with his options that include Josh Clarke, Ilias Chatzitheodoridis and Yoann Barbet.

He added: “We're having to juggle at full back but they've played there before and understand them.

“Ilias is pushing for a start and he hasn't done himself any harm in getting himself a place in the team. Chris Mepham backed up his performance against Middlesbrough against Leeds.”

Lewis Macleod, though, is close to making his return to action after coming through 60 minutes for the B team against Reading.

Smith confirmed: “He's very close to forcing his way onto the pitch. He got a goal against Reading. It took Woodsy a long time to get a goal and now Lewis has one.”